Home & Garden Television (HGTV) Africa brings another renovation sensation, “Betting on Paradise”, which is set to premiere this April.
The six-part one-hour per episode series follows a Canadian couple, Luke Shantz and Steph Sitt, as they take a massive leap of faith, relocating with their two young daughters, Luna and Mia, to Costa Rica to renovate a run-down hotel into a luxury tropical escape.
Sitt has been in the hotel industry for fifteen years, but she has always had the dream of opening a hotel of her own.
Along with her partner, Shantz, they embark on a journey to turn their wildest visions into reality.
Here's what to expect
The couple starts their journey in the coastal town of Jacó, where they buy a run-down property to turn it into a fancy hotel, Hotel Amavi.
With the financial backing of friends and investors on the line, Shantz and Sitt must utilise their construction background and experience to overcome massive structural issues, frustrating delays, and shocking budget increases to bring their vision to life.
“We’ve gambled everything on this hotel, and we’re all in. We don’t have anything to fall back on at this point,” said Shantz.
Luke, who has a construction background, and Sitt, who has high-end hospitality experience, will work together alongside a local builder to transform Hotel Amavi into the luxurious tropical oasis that Sitt envisions.
However, they face significant challenges along the way, including the discovery that most of the hotel’s guest rooms are beyond repair and the start of the country’s rainy season.
“The motel is closed, so money is going out, and nothing is coming in. We need to open as soon as possible because right now we are just in the red,” said Sitt.
Throughout the series, Shantz and Sitt will balance the colossal hotel overhaul with raising their daughters and exploring Costa Rica’s beauty through hiking, surfing, and ATV riding.
Viewers can also expect to see the couple not only celebrate the completion of their dream hotel, but they will also be celebrating their intimate seaside wedding.
The heart-pumping, hustle-filled series full of renovation drama is set to premiere on Saturday, April 19, at 9pm.